Question

a diagram of the carbon cycle is shown. which of the following processes is part of the carbon cycle? the carbon cycle diagram
o factories remove carbon from the atmosphere by burning materials.
o decomposers put carbon into the soil by breaking down organic material.
o animals remove carbon from the atmosphere through the process of respiration.
o plants put carbon back into the atmosphere through the process of photosynthesis.

Explanation:

• Analyze Option A: Factories burn fossil fuels, which releases \(CO_2\) into the atmosphere, not remove it. So A is incorrect.
• Analyze Option B: Decomposers break down dead organic matter, releasing carbon (as \(CO_2\) or into soil as organic carbon). This matches the role of decomposers in the carbon cycle.
• Analyze Option C: Animals perform respiration, which releases \(CO_2\) (adds carbon to atmosphere), not remove it. So C is incorrect.
• Analyze Option D: Plants use photosynthesis to take in \(CO_2\) from the atmosphere (remove carbon), not put it back. So D is incorrect.

Answer:

B. Decomposers put carbon into the soil by breaking down organic material.